While saving trees in the middle of the city is a big concern for many regarding the proposed development of Sino Bright School in Townsite, an additional concern is that the proposed rezoning essentially transfers prime land to foreign ownership to run a private institution and build private accommodations in a space held dear by local citizens. It is also an important natural habitat.
If a foreign company wants to build a private school in Powell River, there are many areas it could be situated that would be more ecological and concordant with Powell River values and traditions. It is possible to protect the natural beauty of this area near the shoreline, park and historic trail and reap the benefits of foreign investment at the same time.
Although the school would provide employment for teachers, it would employ teachers even if it were situated elsewhere.
Sino Bright has added the inclusion of some agricultural activity to its proposal; this too could take place if the school were situated elsewhere.
We should question how much value this selling point offers in contrast to what we stand to lose. If there is a concern about proximity to Brooks Secondary School, it may be worth considering how local students currently travel to school: on foot, by bicycle, by bus and sometimes by car. When I was a foreign student in China, I travelled many kilometres by bicycle to get to where I needed to go and made use of a network of buses.
Canadians are opening private schools overseas, but it is not standard practice for those countries to sell protected and cherished land reserves for development of these institutions.
More families are moving into Powell River; the schools will fill up again. I would project that fewer families will move to Powell River if we do not manage the development of this city very carefully, with the distant future in mind, and not just immediate cash in hand.
Has the city ever considered building an electric tram that would run from Townsite into upper Westview, to A2-zoned properties, for example? This could be done with little impact on the protected agricultural reserve and would meet the transportation needs of foreign students and local citizens.
I am sure there are many possibilities and opportunities to explore before succumbing to the notion that if we do not rezone this land to make way for a private school that they will look elsewhere.
As decisions are being made about growing the economy in Powell River, we should tread lightly when it comes to selling the farm.
Margery Duda is a practical nurse, counsellor, and community advocate in Vancouver. She has a home in Powell River.
